Legaspi finishes third; other Phl bets fade in Junior World

SAN DIEGO, California – As Japan and China emerged as new powerhouses with two victories each, Philippines wound up with just the top five finishes by Mia Legaspi, Miguel Olivarez-Ilas, Eagle Ace Superal, Sunshine Requilman and Bernice Olivarez-Ilas in separate divisions Thursday (Friday in Manila) of the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in various courses here.

Legaspi, former winner of the 7-8 years division, never came close enough and settled for a share of third after a 76 at the Rancho Bernardo course for a 54-hole aggregate of 224, far behind Xiang Sui of China who routed the field with her closing 71 and 207 aggregate in the girls 11-12 years division.

Miguel Olivarez-Ilas settled for fourth in the boys 6 years and under while Requilman and Superal placed fourth and fifth in the girls 6 and under at Colina Park while Miguel’s elder sister Bernice placed fifth in the girls 9-10 years at the Lomas Santa Fe executive course.

Unless the girls 15-17 years bets pull off a miracle at Torrey Pines, those top five showings will stand as the best finishes by a 44-strong delegation sent here by the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines sponsored by Philippines Airlines, ICTSI, Sizzlin Pepper and Pancake House as new powers like Japan and China raised the bar with impressive victories.

All five assured themselves of slots for next year’s competition and need not go through the local qualifying.

Japan swept both the six years and under class including the boys where Ken Shibata went all the way. Miguel Olivarez-Ilas, his first round co-leader, slumped with a 60 and placed fourth.

Dottie Ardina, on the brink of elimination after two forgettable rounds, broke out of a slump and fired a four-under 70 to jump to a share of 13th place at 222 but still a far 13 strokes adrift of Korean Hyoo Joo-kin (68-213) in the girls 15-17. Andie Unson (77-224) and Irina Gabasa (78-224) were in the group sharing 18th spot.